In the world of social media, first impressions are everything. With millions of users scrolling through their Facebook newsfeeds every day, it’s important to make sure that your profile stands out. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a visually appealing and engaging Facebook cover photo. 

But with so many changes and updates happening on the platform, it can be hard to keep up with the latest size and design requirements. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 2024 Facebook cover photo size guide, as well as 5 best practices to help you create a cover photo that stands out.

What’s the ideal Facebook cover photo size?

The ideal Facebook cover photo size is 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall on desktop and 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall on mobile.

It’s important to note that Facebook will automatically resize your cover photo to fit the dimensions of its platform, so make sure your image is high-quality and visually appealing in all sizes. It’s also a good idea to preview your cover photo on both desktop and mobile devices to ensure that it looks great across all platforms.

Some other specifications you should be aware of include:

• Your cover photo should be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall. This is the minimum size requirement for a Facebook cover photo, so any photo that is smaller than this will be automatically stretched to fit.

• Upload your cover photos as an sRGB JPG file that’s 851 pixels wide, 315 pixels tall and less than 100 kilobytes. It loads faster in this format.

• For profile pictures and cover photos with your logo or text, you may get a better result by using a PNG file.

🎉 Related Article: Up-to-date social media image sizes in 2024 + Free Cheat Sheet

Facebook cover photos on desktop vs mobile

Facebook cover photos on desktop and mobile devices have different dimensions, meaning your cover photo may look slightly different on each platform. On desktop, Facebook cover photos are displayed as long, horizontal image that spans the top of the page. The ideal size for a desktop cover photo is 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall.

On mobile devices, Facebook cover photos are displayed as a more square-shaped image at the top of the page. The ideal size for a mobile cover photo is 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall.

It’s important to keep in mind that Facebook will automatically resize your cover photo to fit the dimensions of its platform, so it’s important to choose an image that will look good in both sizes. This means you should avoid using images with small details or text that may be difficult to read when resized for mobile devices.

Also, when designing your cover photo, you should consider that the profile picture and page name will overlay your cover photo on both desktop and mobile devices. Make sure that your cover photo looks great with these elements in place, and avoid placing important information in the lower-left corner of your cover photo where the profile picture may obscure it.

What should my Facebook cover photo be?

Your Facebook cover photo should be a visually engaging and attention-grabbing image that effectively conveys your brand’s message. It should align with your brand’s style and aesthetic and be relevant to your business. Here are a few ideas for what your Facebook cover photo could be:

• Showcase your products: If you sell products, featuring them in your Facebook cover photo is a great way to showcase your best-selling items or promote new product launches. This can help to generate excitement and interest in your brand and can encourage users to explore your products further. When featuring products in your cover photo, make sure that the image is high-quality and visually appealing, and consider using text overlays to highlight key product features or benefits.

• Highlight your team: Using your cover photo to highlight your team is a great way to give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your business. This can help to humanize your brand and build trust and credibility with potential customers. Consider featuring a group photo of your team or using a series of images to showcase individual team members and their roles within the company.

• Promote an event: If you have an upcoming event, using your cover photo to promote it is a great way to generate excitement and encourage attendance. Make sure that the image is visually appealing and relevant to the event, and consider using text overlays to provide more information about the event and how to register or purchase tickets.

• Show your brand’s personality: Using your cover photo to showcase your brand’s personality and values is a great way to differentiate yourself from competitors and build brand recognition. This can be done through colors, images, or text and should align with your brand’s overall messaging and tone of voice.

• Highlight customer testimonials: Using your cover photo to highlight positive customer reviews or testimonials is a great way to build trust and credibility with potential customers. Make sure that the image is visually appealing and features compelling customer quotes or statistics.

• Feature a special offer: If you have a special offer or promotion, featuring it in your Facebook cover photo is a great way to encourage users to take action. Make sure that the image is visually appealing and communicates the offer or promotion, and consider using text overlays to provide more information about how to take advantage of the offer.

How to create a Facebook cover photo?

Use Facebook’s built-in design tools

Facebook offers a free tool called “Facebook Cover Photo Maker”, that allows you to create a cover photo using pre-designed templates and easy-to-use editing tools. To use this tool, go to your Facebook Page and click on the “Edit Cover Photo” button. From there, you can choose from a variety of templates or create your own design using the editing tools provided. This option is a great choice for those new to design or looking for a quick and easy solution.

Use a design software

If you have experience with design software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva, you can create a custom Facebook cover photo using these tools. To get started, create a new document with the appropriate dimensions (820 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall), and design your cover photo using images, graphics, and text. This option is great for those who want more creative control over their design and have experience with design software.

Hire a designer

If you don’t have design skills or resources, you can hire a freelance designer or design agency to create a custom Facebook cover photo for you. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr allow you to connect with freelance designers who can create a custom design that aligns with your brand and messaging. This option is great for those who want a professional-looking design but don’t have the time or skills to create one themselves.

Tips for creating a high-quality cover photo?

1. Use high-resolution images: Using high-resolution images is important because it ensures that your cover photo looks crisp and clear. If your image is low-resolution, it can appear blurry or pixelated on larger screens, making it less visually appealing. When choosing images for your cover photo, ensure they are at least 820 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall. You can also use tools like Adobe Photoshop or Canva to resize and optimize your images for Facebook.

2. Pay attention to composition: Composition is the arrangement of visual elements in a design. When designing your Facebook cover photo, pay attention to composition to create a balanced and visually appealing design. Use the rule of thirds, which is a technique used in photography and design that involves dividing the image into thirds horizontally and vertically. Place the main subject of your image at the intersections of these lines to create a visually appealing composition.

3. Choose a color scheme: Choosing a color scheme that aligns with your brand’s colors can help create a cohesive and professional-looking design. Use color to draw attention to specific elements in your design, such as your logo or a call-to-action. You can use tools like Adobe Color to create a color palette that aligns with your brand’s messaging and tone of voice.

4. Use typography effectively: If you’re using text in your Facebook cover photo, make sure to use typography effectively. Choose a font that aligns with your brand’s messaging and tone of voice. Use typography to draw attention to specific elements in your design, such as a tagline or a call-to-action. Use hierarchy to create a clear visual hierarchy in your design, with the most important information being the most prominent.

5. Keep it simple: When designing your Facebook cover photo, keep it simple. Avoid cluttering your design with too many elements, as this can make it difficult for your audience to understand the main message of your design. Instead, use negative space to create a balanced and visually appealing design. Use contrast to make important elements stand out and guide the viewer’s eye through the design.

Where to find Facebook cover photos?

• Create your own: Creating your own Facebook cover photo allows you to fully customize the design to match your brand’s messaging and tone of voice. This gives you complete control over the design and allows you to create a unique and eye-catching cover photo that stands out from the competition. You can use design software like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or PicMonkey to create custom Facebook cover photos.

• Use stock photo websites: Stock photo websites offer a wide range of photos that you can use for your Facebook cover photo. These photos are typically organized by category, so you can easily find images that fit your brand’s messaging and tone of voice. Some websites offer free stock photos, while others require a subscription or payment per download. Popular stock photo websites include Shutterstock, Unsplash, and Pexels.

• Check out Facebook’s library: Facebook has a library of pre-made cover photos that you can use for your profile. These cover photos are organized by category and include a range of designs and styles. While these cover photos may not be as unique as creating your own, they can be a good starting point for designing your custom cover photo.

• Look at competitor’s pages: Take a look at the Facebook cover photos of your competitors or other brands in your industry for inspiration. This can help you get an idea of what works well and what doesn’t in your industry. Look for common themes, colors, and styles that you can incorporate into your design, while still making it unique to your brand.

5 industry expert advice on best practices for a Facebook cover photo

Samuel Park, Founder of TechMaestro.co

When I was a full-time social media marketer, I remember helping a small bakery revamp its Facebook presence. The goal was to create a cover photo that captured the brand’s essence and grabbed users’ attention.

We decided to showcase their artisans at work, surrounded by fresh ingredients. This authentic, visually appealing setup resonated with the bakery’s target audience. To complement the image, we added a tagline: Handcrafted treats made with love, using local ingredients.

This combination of visual storytelling and concise messaging created an engaging cover photo. We also ensured it looked great on both desktop and mobile platforms, providing a seamless experience for all users. We successfully enhanced the bakery’s Facebook presence by focusing on brand personality and audience engagement.

Mocca Bajao, Digital PR Specialist at Thrive Digital Marketing Agency

When choosing a cover photo for your business, I suggest optimizing the image for mobile devices. Additionally, I suggest making sure the photo is relevant to your brand.

A single image can convey what your business does or what you stand for. You should choose a photo or an illustration that is in line with the brand’s colors, themes, and values. Identify your target audience’s likes and dislikes. It is important for you to understand what kind of Facebook cover to create and what message that cover should convey based on the tastes and interests of your audience.

Milo Cruz, CMO at Freelance Writing Jobs

If your cover photo contains an important message or logo, keep the most important content centered and away from the photo’s edges. Cover photos look different on mobile devices than on desktops. A common mistake businesses make is designing a cover photo that appears visually appealing on a desktop but loses its quality when displayed on a mobile device. 

The Facebook cover photo’s dimensions on a desktop are 820 pixels (width) by 312 pixels (height). On mobile devices, however, the cover photo is 640 pixels (width) by 360 pixels (height). This means that the sides of the cover photo get cropped out on mobile devices, and only the center of the photo is visible.

We once created a cover photo that looked great on a desktop but was cut off on mobile devices. That made our Facebook page look incomplete when viewed on the phone. However, after we adjusted our cover photo to be more centered, we saw an improvement in engagement on both desktop and mobile.

Daniela Turcanu, Head of Marketing at Walls.io

We found that displaying relevant social proof is key to creating a Facebook cover photo that resonates with our audience and makes them feel confident in our brand. If your business has received any awards or certifications, prominently display them in your cover photo to showcase your credibility. Including a quote or review from a satisfied customer can be a powerful way to demonstrate social proof. Use an image of the customer or their business and the quote for added impact. Below you can find an example of the latest Facebook cover we created for Walls.io, Including some of our G2 badges.

Will Yang, Head of Growth & Customer Success at Instrumentl

In my experience, the best way to create Facebook cover photos is to start with a clear idea of what you want your audience to take away from the image. For example, if you’re marketing a new product, your cover image should be something that shows off the product and makes it look appealing. If you’re trying to get people interested in a big event, your cover image should show off an aspect of the event that excites people.

The second thing is to make sure that your graphics are high quality. You don’t have to shell out for top-of-the-line graphics software but don’t use clipart or stock images either. Make sure that your designs are original and unique.

Manage your first impressions well

A visually appealing Facebook cover photo is essential for businesses and individuals looking to make a great first impression. By following the 2024 Facebook cover photo size guide and implementing the best practices outlined in this article, you can create a cover photo that not only looks great but also conveys your brand’s message and personality.

After creating a great first impression for your audience, you must be ready to effectively manage your customers and what better way to do that than use an effective social media platform like Sociality.io that allows you schedule,manage and analyze your social media efforts. You can try out our free trial here.